Downtown Tampa Riverwalk, Tampa, Florida

Strolling down the downtown Tampa Riverwalk, I marveled at the “other Florida” I discovered on my East Coast Road Trip. No nightclub Miami vibe here. Forget Mickey’s Orlando getaway. Just West Florida charm. Tampa is a city that straddles two worlds-its century-old Ybor City Cuban heritage and its skyscraper reincarnation.

And in eight days, Tampa hosts the 2021 Super Bowl. And for the first time, a Super Bowl contender will play at Home Stadium. Go Buccaneers! So you can imagine Tampa is feeling a little cocky - ok let’s admit it bullish - about itself.

Now a typical Super Bowl will draw thousands of football fans who come for football’s Biggest Day of the Year contest. But due to the pandemic, the city of Tampa will drastically reduce the attendance at its Raymond James Stadium. But I am not here for football.

Since I want to see outdoorsy Tampa, I choose to explore the 2.6 mile downtown Tampa Riverwalk. It is a sprawling outdoor museum, a pirates cove, a colossal children’s playground and an adult’s gym.

“The Riverwalk connects Tampa’s dynamic cultural venues, family oriented parks and the city center’s vibrant business community creating connectivity and eclectic synergy.” ...... (follow the instructions below for accessing the rest of this article).